VIETNAM TODAY

Libya declared on Friday an immediate ceasefire in the battle against rebels fighting to overthrow Moamer Kadhafi, which the insurgents swiftly dismissed as a bluff.

The Vietnam Food Association has cut the floor price of rice meant for export by USD20 per tonne.

Twenty-one long-finned pilot whales have died but 11 were saved after beaching themselves at Bruny Island.

Hanoi authorities say they are determined to wipe out a total 550 deformed and super-slim houses in the city this year.

France said Friday military action against Libya would come "within hours", as a UN vote approving air strikes was celebrated by rebels.

Luxuries like fine cosmetics, high-end cell phones, super cars and others now flood Ho Chi Minh City market amidst concerns over rising prices.

Despite its numerous "quagmires" of the past, the United States continues to get involved in questionable engagements around the world.

Many Canadian businesses are keen on investing in Vietnam, said C.Scott M. Shepherd, CEO of the Northstar Trade Finance Inc.

Vietnam Red Cross has received over VND1 billion from organisations and individuals to support Japanese victims of the powerful earthquake.

Ba Lua Archipelago, also called Binh Tri Archipelago, off Kien Giang Province is a group of 45 islands that are unspoiled by tourism.

Japan battled a nuclear and humanitarian crisis Friday as engineers worked to restore power to a stricken atomic plant.

Hundreds of households in a commune in Dak Lak Province fear that they and their crops could be harmed after a wild elephant killed a local man.

The world famous FA Cup will go on display in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 25-31.

The Bank of Japan on Friday pumped three trillion yen into the financial system to soothe money markets shaken by huge earthquake.

Vietnamese police have accused a group of eight youngsters of gang-raping and robbing teenage girls they met through the Internet, a report said Thursday.

Teams of Japanese workers and troops battled to prevent meltdown at a quake-hit nuclear plant as alarm over the disaster grew.

Seven hydroelectric plants in Gia Lai province have ceased operation due to a lack of water.

Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda has expressed his deepest condolences and offered support to the people and Government of Japan.

A recent survey by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs showed that workers in mining and metallurgy industries get the highest payments.